Springfield Heart Attack Malpractice Attorney

Lawyers for Misdiagnosis or Failure to Treat Heart Attacks in Sangamon County and Champaign County

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. While there are a variety of conditions that fall under this category, heart attacks are some of the most dangerous, and they affect more than 800,000 people each year. A heart attack can lead to serious health issues or death if it is not treated properly. If you have suffered harm because of a doctor's failure to diagnose or treat a heart attack, you should consult with a medical malpractice attorney to find out what steps you can take to receive payments that will address your injuries.

At Kanoski Bresney, our lawyers have over 40 years of experience, and we have helped personal injury victims recover more than $400 million through jury verdicts and settlements with large insurance and healthcare companies. We can help you gather evidence to show that you suffered injuries because of medical negligence, and we will fight to make sure you are repaid for all of the ways you and your family have been affected.

Symptoms and Treatment of Heart Attacks

A heart attack is technically referred to as a "myocardial infarction," and it occurs when blockages in the arteries restrict blood flow to the muscles in the heart. This can lead to muscle cramps, damage to the cells in the heart, or even heart failure.

While heart attacks can sometimes result in sudden, acute chest pains, they often involve a variety of other symptoms, some of which may be misinterpreted. A person may experience more general discomfort in the chest or abdomen that then moves to the neck, shoulders, or arms. They may also suffer shortness of breath or feel weak, dizzy, or lightheaded.

Since some of the symptoms of a heart attack can be associated with other medical conditions, such as acid reflux disease, strained muscles, pneumonia, or an anxiety attack, a doctor may misdiagnose a patient or fail to diagnose a heart attack in time to provide the necessary treatment. To ensure that a patient's condition is diagnosed correctly, a doctor should fully review their medical history while looking for risk factors for heart disease. If a heart attack is suspected, an electrocardiogram (EKG) may be performed to determine what areas of the heart have been affected, and testing of cardiac enzymes may show whether heart cells have been damaged.

Fast and effective treatment should be provided following a heart attack to help avoid further damage to a patient's heart. Blood-thinning drugs such as aspirin or thrombolytics may be used to clear blood clots or blockages, and beta-blockers or nitroglycerin may be administered to improve blood flow and reduce stress on the heart. In more serious cases, an angioplasty may be performed to restore the flow of blood through any blocked arteries, or bypass surgery may be needed. A delay in diagnosing a heart attack or providing treatment can cause a patient's condition to worsen, and they may experience permanent damage to their heart.

Contact a Bloomington Heart Attack Misdiagnosis Attorney

Heart attacks that are not treated correctly can have a long-term impact on your health. If medical negligence led to a heart attack misdiagnosis or a failure to provide the proper treatment, you can take legal action to receive compensation for your injuries, including the costs of past and future medical care, income lost while recovering, or due to a disability, and pain and suffering. To learn more about your legal options, contact Kanoski Bresney at 888-U-COUNT-2 or 888-826-8682 and schedule a free consultation. We serve clients in Decatur, Sangamon County, Schuyler County, Champaign County, Peoria County, Pekin, Bloomington, McLean County, Peoria, McDonough County, Macon County, Tazewell County, Champaign, Quincy, Adams County, Macomb, Springfield, Rushville, and throughout the state of Illinois.